Bonnie-Leigh Spence, from Consett, was diagnosed with stage four Rhabdoid Sarcoma shortly after her fifth birthday in December 2024.
The aggressive childhood cancer is so rare that it affects only eight children a year in the UK.
After a brave battle with the cancer, Bonnie sadly died aged six on Wednesday (July 29) surrounded by her parents and siblings.
Bonnie’s family L-R Ian, Alistair, Bonnie, Jessica, Caroline Spence (Image: ANDY FUTERS PHOTOGRAPHY)
Though her life was heartbreakingly short, Bonnie’s family say she packed more love, laughter and unforgettable memories into her six years than many do in a lifetime.
Bonnie celebrated her sixth birthday in Disneyland Paris- somewhere she had always wanted to go (Image: FAMILY)
Announcing Bonnie’s death, her family said: “The most beautiful girl to grace our world has passed on into heaven.
“Our Bonnie was the light of our lives and the world will forever be a darker place without her.
“You put up the biggest fight you could, but your little body was just too weak.
“We promise to always keep your memory alive.”
Bonnie-Leigh Spence (Image: ANDY FUTERS PHOTOGRAPHY)
Her mum, Caroline, added: “We just want to say how much we miss her. How happy, bubbly and smiley she was.
“She lit up the world and leaves a very big hole in both our lives as well as her siblings.
“She passed very peacefully in no pain, surrounded by her siblings and parents.
“We also want to thank everyone who has supported us, donated experience days or family days as well on our GoFundMe.”
Bonnie, six, was described as the ‘happiest little girl’ (Image: ANDY FUTERS PHOTOGRAPHY)
Knowing time together was precious, Bonnie’s family filled her final months with extraordinary memories.
She travelled to Disneyland for a “magical” Christmas trip and went on to enjoy a string of “unforgettable” experiences, including becoming a mascot for Rangers FC and walking out with Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimarães before a Champions League match against PSV.
Bonnie and her sisters in Disneyland L-R Ada, eight, Jennifer, nine, Tammy, eleven, Bonnie, six (Image: FAMILY)
She was also featured on American national television, helped switch on Durham County Council’s Christmas tree lights and celebrated her sixth birthday surrounded by those she loved most.
One of the moments that meant the most came in June, when Bonnie was able to return to school for a short time after months away from the classroom.
Bonnie with the doll that was specially made for her from America, that got her featured on American news (Image: FAMILY)
She had not regularly attended since February 2025 but, after 12 weeks of trying, was finally able to go back.
Her family said she was excited to make friends and “try and be a little bit normal”.
As her illness progressed, Bonnie spent more time at home with her family, watching her favourite Disney films alongside her siblings and cherishing every moment together.
A GoFundMe set up to help Bonnie and her family create lasting memories raised more than £36,000.
Bonnie’s dad, Iain, an ex-Army HGV driver, and her mum Caroline, an NHS midwife, both put their careers on hold to care for their daughter full-time.
The family first discovered Bonnie had cancer after a small bump appeared on her arm.
She went to hospital where it was initially believed to be a sprained arm.
Bonnie later had her left arm amputated above the elbow and went through gruelling rounds of chemotherapy to shrink tumours in early 2025, but unfortunately, Bonnie’s family were told on December 16 that it would be her last Christmas.
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